No wonder those living in the Mediterranean region tend to have longer than average life-expectances, and lower incidence of diseases. Researchers recently found that the polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil prevent and help treat a wide range of degenerative diseases. It seems it would be smart if we replaced butter and other saturated fats with olive oil as much as possible. Olive oil is the only natural vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

Ever since the 1960s when Ancer Keys, a US expert on nutrition, studied the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, many other studies about the benefits of olive oil have been conducted. The Environmental, Biochemical and Nutritional Analytical-Control Research Group, directed by Professors Alberto Fernández Gutiérrez and Antonio Segura Carretero, used the most advanced analytical techniques for a precise study on the antioxidant properties of olive oil, characterized by its polyphenolic composition and its potential to combat degenerative diseases. The study was completed with the collaboration of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology of the Universidad de Granada and the Nutrition Team of the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves (Granada). Together with the Research Group, they were able to confirm that consumption of olive oil rich in polyphenols (natural antioxidants) improves the lives of people suffering from oxidative stress, and is also highly beneficial for the prevention of cell aging and osteoporosis. Posted by Rebecca Sato*For recipes rich in olive oil click hereIf you liked this article, please share it on your favorite social bookmark like del.icio.us or Digg by clicking on the bookmark link on the upper left of this post. I’d really appreciate it! :)

Posted at 09:52 AM in Food and Drink Permalink

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the ancients have been using olive oil as an "all-purpose" tonic for centuries. Looks like they knew what they were doing!